Channel 5 has signed a two-year deal to bring Big Brother back to British TV, kicking off with a celebrity version this summer.

Endemol-owned Initial, will produce the series with creative director Nick Samwell-Smith and managing director Laurence Jones taking the lead for the indie.

Samwell-Smith has been a producer, series producer and executive producer across a number of Endemol shows including Big Brother for Channel 4, 101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow and The Whole 19 Yards.

C5’s head of factual entertainment Steve Gowans will oversee the programme on the broadcaster’s side.

Confirmation of the deal ends months of negotiations between Richard Desmond, the owner of C5 and Endemol.

The series will once again be made in the original house in Elstree Film Studios and the celebrity version will be followed by a series featuring members of the public.

C5 director of programmes Jeff Ford said the series would “form a key part of this year’s schedule. The series has previously captivated a decade of television viewers and we aim to bring, Channel 5’s energy, optimism and vibrancy to the series.”

Endemol UK chief executive Tim Hincks said: “Big Brother has a passionate and loyal fanbase in the UK and I’m delighted it has found a new home on Channel 5. Ten years on it’s as potent and cutting edge as ever and it’s still one of the only truly multiplatform entertainment brands.”

While ratings for Big Brother dropped off during its 11 series run on Channel 4, from a high of 9.2m for the finale of series 3, it continued to attract an audience of over 2m in its final series, which would make it one of C5’s biggest shows.

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